MMF set to elect new president as Cini opts not to recontest

Duncan Micallef, Jonathan Bruno in the running for top post

The Malta Motorsport Federation (MMF) will have a new president after Tonio Cini announced that he will not recontest this year’s elections which will be held during an Annual General Meeting tomorrow.

Cini had been at the helm of the local governing body of motor sport for the past 12 years and his work was vital for  the sport to be given the recognition it deserved.

The MMF was created with the aim of uniting all motor sport bodies in Malta under one institution to ensure their interests are protected through a national regulation system that were also approved by the International Motorsport Federation (FIA).

In a statement, Cini said that during the past 12 years, a number of projects, backed by the FIA, were implemented, including Train the Trainer, a programme aimed at giving a good preparation to young drivers.

“Two years ago, the MMF also managed to complete successfully an Erasmus project to train motorsport officials by following international competitions in Italy with the assistance of ACI Sport,” Cini said.

“The Federation has also managed to attain approval from the World Motor Sport Council so that Maltese drivers could be able to compete in karting competitions in Italy and Sicily with a Maltese licence approved by the MMF.

“Such approval meant that drivers were eligible to pick up points and also be declared as champions in these national championships in both Italy and Sicily.”

During his presidency, Cini also managed to put the ambitious project of constructing a motorsport track on the electoral manifesto of both political parties who have promised to complete the development.

“I would like to thank all associations and federations for their efforts, especially during these difficult times,” Cini said.

“Many clubs have worked relentlessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the enthusiasm among their members by organising successfully motor racing events while respecting the protocol issued by the health authorities.

“I am proud of the collective effort of the MMF and the motorsport community who have managed to increase the respect and recognition towards our sport throughout the last few years by operating in the most responsible and professional manner.”

Two candidates

For the post of president, there are two candidates who need no introduction in Maltese motor sport, namely Jonathan Bruno and Duncan Micallef.

Bruno, served as MMF secretary general, while Micallef is running for a post in the MMF for the first time following a highly-successful career in drag racing that saw him being crowned FIA European champion in the Top Fuel division in 2016.

George Abdilla and William England will contest for the post of vice-president while Oliver Attard is uncontested for the role of vice-secretary.